Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Lydia has cute clothes. Sometimes I feel like there are not enough days in the season to wear all of her cute clothes...or enough days that we're going to be out and about and have those cute clothes noticed. You can't wear an outfit like this around the house. Sometimes I just have to be sure and take a few photos so somebody besides me can see what she's wearing. I'm not bragging about her wardrobe, mind you. Because guess how many of her cute clothes I have purchased for her? Zero. Well, maybe a few of the newborn things that Emma wore. But by and large she has always been dressed by the generosity of her aunts, uncles, and grandmas. Mostly she is lucky enough to sport the super cuteness that Claire has outgrown (whenever I see old photos of Claire when she was two I have to keep saying, "Hey! I love that sweater, Lydia just wore it the other day." For that matter, Ben and Josh's clothes are 99% handed down from Langfords and Sextons so I go through the same routine when looking at photos of their boys in younger days). And Lydia is lucky enough to have all these relatives that love to get new cute little clothes for cute little girls' birthdays and whatnot. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who keeps my kids looking good. It really is a blessing to not have to shop much for clothes for four kids. This little number was from Lisa for turning two. I know...it's cute.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Yesterday Lydia did something wonderful. Right before her bath she peed on the potty. I know it was a total fluke, lucky timing, but man was it exciting. She got a sucker in the bathtub to celebrate. Since then she has multiple time announced she needed to go potty but so far no repeats. Who knows, though? Maybe she'll be that kid who potty trains herself. And maybe baby Afton will be that baby that sleeps through the night from day one. Maybe.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

If you've never met my brother-in-law, Allen, you're missing out. He's practically perfect in every way. Have I ever mentioned how awesome he is? It seems like I have at least a million times...maybe that's just how often I think it. Not only is he very tall, but he also is a very funny guy, and if you have crooked teeth he will change your life (for the better). He's the go-to man for making plans for your group's night out or extended vacation. He can find the good deals, he can make the arrangements, he can research the hotel and activity choices, he can spring for a limo to take you to the Tennessee Theater to see Nickel Creek perform. He likes to hold Lydia as much as she'll let him. He has a knack for finding great new music. He's crafted an excellent home theater room where he'll invite you to see all the movies you missed when they were out (and I'll tell you what, it is head and shoulders above going to the Dollar Theater in terms of comfort, visibility, and smell). He's always willing to come over and lend his man-power to moving heavy things like pianos and hide-a-beds. He even used to have a truck, which he was more than willing to lend out for hauling things like pianos and hide-a-beds. He's got a lot of cool hobbies and he's not afraid to branch out and try new ones. He can juggle. He's just so all-around great that I finally decided he needed a post all of his own. Good luck with your hopes and dreams, Allen.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

For some reason Emma and Ben decided that she should make up an exercise regime for him. (Maybe it's just natural, considering the praise she got for her buff arms seen here.) Pretty intense stuff. My favorite move is "Hold foot to head". I'll have to have her show me that one.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Friday, November 7, 2008

Dear Target Pharmacy,

I don't know quite how to say this, so I'll just go ahead and say it. I think we need to spend a little time away from each other. I love you, you're my favorite pharmacy, but I need a break. I wasn't prepared for the intensity of our relationship. Things have been moving a bit too fast for me lately, it's becoming overwhelming. I need to have my own time and my own space, it can't always be about us together. Please know you haven't done anything wrong. I'm not mad at you. This is my problem, and maybe a little distance will help me sort it out so that we can try again to have a good relationship in the future.

I feel like you're getting a little bit too close to my family as well. I know I'm the one who always comes to see you, but I've noticed over the past two weeks you've had an interest in nearly every single one of us! I appreciate that you're trying to help, I really do. Without you Scott would still have bronchitis, Emma and I would still have pneumonia, and Josh would still have his double ear infection. You're special like that. You've given us not only medicines to heal our bodies but you've healed our hearts as well. Oh why is this so difficult, Target Pharmacy?? It can't be like it was, just an occasional visit for prenatal vitamins. We've been through too much now, and we may have ruined our friendship as a price. But I don't want to say goodbye forever. Please, just give me some time. I think things will work out just fine if I can just have some distance for a little while. Thank you for understanding.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Me too. I like it. But every time I watch I can't help but think our life is at least as entertaining as theirs. Especially if people were throwing free trips and adventures at us every time we turn around. So send over a camera crew and watch as we earn enough royalties for Scott to quit his day job and I graciously accept Willy Wonka's invitation for our family to come run the candy factory for the day.

Five people call me mom. They do it like this...

"Mom, are we doing anything tonight?""Mom, I'm still hungry.""Mom, when I grow up I want to be the ninja of fighting and stealth.""Mom, what if the whole world is just a giant pop-up book?""Mom, the most disgusting collection of all would be...a booger collection."